Organisers of rugby union’s new breakaway league have now turned their attention to signing up top coaches as part of their plans to shake-up the game’s established order.
R360 wants to create ‘generational change’ in the sport by creating eight new franchise men’s teams made up of the world’s best players who will play all around the globe.
As previously reported by Daily Mail Sport, the likes of Fenway Sports Group, the Glazer family and Red Bull have expressed interest in franchise ownership while it is understood close to 200 players have already agreed to join for the slated R360 start of summer 2026.
They include Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit, who has confirmed his rugby return after a stint in the NFL. R360 is now being seen as a genuine proposition by World Rugby – who are co-ordinating how to respond to the threat – and the game’s individual national governing bodies.
There is an acknowledgment that both leading players and coaches will be attracted by the proposition of joining R360 both from a financial and lifestyle perspective. R360, run by England 2003 World Cup winner Mike Tindall and leading agent Mark Spoors, are understood to be close to sealing the required number of circa 200 players they need by September to get up and running which is why coaches are now their next priority.
Any coaches who join R360 will be tasked with playing an entertaining brand of rugby to attract new fans to the competition which will follow a Formula1-style global model. Both players and coaches who sign must be out of contract with their current employers by the summer of 2026 to take part in the first season.
R360 have signed up key players like Louis Rees-Zammit and are now targeting top coaches
Ex-Wales coach Warren Gatland looks unlikely to be joining R360 with reports suggesting he is set to take charge of Urayasu D-Rocks
England 2003 World Cup winner Mike Tindall is a key figure behind R360
R360 was a hot topic of conversation in Australia between rugby’s top bosses during key meetings held during the British & Irish Lions tour. ‘I think it’s a genuine potential disruption,’ Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Abi Tierney said of the proposals being put forward by R360.
‘None of us are thinking this isn’t going to happen. It might not happen. But we’re better off planning for it to happen and make sure we do our best to respond to that.’ Former Wales coach Warren Gatland looks unlikely to be joining R360 with reports in the Far East on Friday suggesting he is set to take charge of Japanese side Urayasu D-Rocks. R360 has no plans to disrupt international rugby. But any England players who join the rebel league would have to forgo their Test careers to do so.
English rugby rules state players must be employed by a Premiership club to represent Steve Borthwick’s national side. For R360 to be approved by World Rugby, its bosses would have to show it complies with the regulations stipulated by the game’s governing body. That includes player release for international windows. Crucially, R360 approval would have to be tabled for World Rugby Council consideration by one of the game’s national unions. It is unlikely a major union such as the RFU or WRU would do so given they are potentially at risk of losing out should R360 get off the ground.
The WRU is set to cut the number of its professional teams from four to most likely two, so Tierney is aware Wales players may be attracted to R360 given that it is uncertain as things stand which teams will continue to exist long term. The WRU plans to confirm in the coming weeks its preferred option for the future with a period of consultation with stakeholders then set to take place.
Wales captain Jac Morgan, who impressed with the Lions in Australia, is one of a number of Welsh players out of contract at the end of the forthcoming season and would be a leading target for R360 as a result.
‘At the heart of all this, we want to provide stability and the best for Welsh rugby,’ Tierney said. ‘Contracts start to be talked about in October and R360’s aim is to be up and running by next summer. I’m absolutely aware of that.’
The uncertainty in Wales’ domestic game failed to stop the Llanelli-based Scarlets from announcing fresh investment with USA-based firm House of Luxury, whose sports division is headed up by former WRU chief executive David Moffett, on Friday.
It was Moffett who was in charge of Welsh rugby when it controversially moved from a nine-team club model to five regions early in 2003.
Now, remarkably, he is back involved.
House of Luxury will acquire a 55 per cent controlling stake in the Scarlets and have already assumed non-rugby operational leadership in partnership with the club’s existing board.
Former Wales No 10 and Daily Mail Sport columnist Dan Biggar is on House of Luxury’s sports advisory board but won’t be involved in the organisation’s day-to-day running of the Scarlets.
House of Luxury will take on the Scarlets’ existing financial debt.
The timing of the announcement is fascinating as there is no guarantee the Scarlets have clear long-term viability of existence given the expected cut in Welsh domestic teams.